Couple’s Retreat ‘24

About the Community Share

On Saturday and Sunday morning, we will gather in groups to discuss a topic. (The topics are listed at the end of this schedule). The group leader will introduce the topic, and each member will have a few minutes to share their thoughts and feelings about it. We encourage everyone to participate, as this activity fosters bonds among participants and provides an opportunity to explore and learn about topics that may not typically be discussed in our daily lives. If you are unable to attend, please inform your group leader. Your group number and leader's name will be announced during the opening circle, along with the meeting location.

Schedule

Thursday, March 7th

  • 6:20 pm Dinner Circle (Great Room)

  • 6:30 pm Dinner 

  • 7:30-8:30 pm Opening Circle (Great Room)

  • 8:45 pm Love & Rejuvenation with Adam Smith (Great Room)
    This workshop is designed for you to pamper each other with a relaxing spa treatment and movie night in an evening of care, connection, and entertainment. Unwind by giving each other soothing facial treatments that will leave you both glowing and feeling refreshed. Cleanser, face masks, under eye patches, toner and moisturizer will be provided but feel free to bring any of your own products that best meet your skincare needs. After your spa experience, you’ll be treated to a curated film celebrating gay culture. Snuggle up with your partner as you enjoy a heartwarming story that resonates with your shared experiences. Leave feeling rejuvenated, connected, and inspired by the power of love and self-care.

  • 10:00 pm Sauna, Hot Tub, Play Space.

Friday, March 8th

  • 8:00-9:00 am Yoga with Tim Cooley (Great Room)

    •  Or Erotic Flow with Edward Barron (Temple)

      Erotic Flow' is about consciously generating and experiencing the flow of erotic energy within us. We all were created out of erotic energy. It is the energy of creation. When you were conceived, the driving force behind the passion was erotic energy. The pleasure that drives this passion is our birthright.  Using the tools of Mindfulness and Meditation we will awaken and explore our erotic energy as it builds and flows through our bodies. By focusing sensations, you can enter the flow and ride the waves of erotic energy.

  • 9:00 am Breakfast 

  • 10:00-11:00 am  - Couples Community Share 

  • 11:15-12:45 pm - Breaking Free from the Drama Triangle: Create Healthy Communication with Mark Lord (Great Room)

    The Drama Triangle is a powerful psychological model that helps people understand and address unhealthy dynamics in their relationships. This interactive workshop is designed to provide participants with a deep understanding of the Drama Triangle, its roles (Victim, Rescuer, Persecutor), and how to break free from these patterns to cultivate healthier, more empowering connections.

    Workshop Goals - Participants will:

    • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Drama Triangle model, its origins, and how it manifests in their relationship.

    • Identify their own tendencies to certain patterns within the Drama Triangle.

    • Receive practical strategies and tools for breaking free from the Drama Triangle, including assertive communication, setting boundaries, and fostering healthy empowerment.

  • 1:00 Lunch 

  • 2:15-3:45 pm - Activating Zestfulness with Andre and Zach (Temple)

    André and Zach will use guided meditation and discussion prompts to facilitate an empathetic listening activity, which will culminate in participants making gifts for each other using simple materials. No artistic experience required. All are welcome!

    • Or - 3-Minute game with Harry Faddis (Great Room)

      An exercise where two very specific questions are asked: ‘How do you want me to touch you for three minutes?’, and ‘How do you want to touch me for three minutes? This very simple structure leads to lots of deeper insights around trust, consent, giving and receiving in our interactions with others.

  • 4:00-5:45 - The Touch of Love (Massage Exchange) with Jose Austin (Great Room)

    What better way than through massage to enjoy the magic of sensual, intimate touch with a loved one. But why let the hands do all the work? In this workshop we will discover how various parts of the body can effectuate the magic of touch in innovative and fun ways. Then by using a little imagination, partners will use their bodies to make the perfect loving connection with each other. Nudity is not necessary, but encouraged. Erotic touch will be at the discretion of each couple

  • 5:00-5:45pm - 12 Step Meeting (Temple)

  • 6:20 pm Dinner Circle (Great Room)

  • 6:30 pm Dinner

  • 7:45 Couples Dance with DJ Sean 

  • 10:00 pm Sauna, Hot Tub and Play Space 

Saturday, March 9th

  • 8:00-9:00 am Yoga with Tim Cooley (Great Room)

  •  Or - Erotic Flow with Edward Barron (Temple)

    Erotic Flow' is about consciously generating and experiencing the flow of erotic energy within us. We all were created out of erotic energy. It is the energy of creation. When you were conceived, the driving force behind the passion was erotic energy. The pleasure that drives this passion is our birthright.  Using the tools of Mindfulness and Meditation we will awaken and explore our erotic energy as it builds and flows through our bodies. By focusing sensations, you can enter the flow and ride the waves of erotic energy.

  • 9:00 am Breakfast 

  • 10:00-11:00 am - Couples Community Share 

  • 11:15-12:30 pm - Forgiveness: The Way To Lasting Love with Mark Lord (Great Room)

    Forgiveness is a powerful tool that can heal wounds, strengthen bonds, and pave the way to lasting love in relationships. This transformative workshop is designed to explore the profound impact of forgiveness on romantic relationships, helping couples understand, practice, and embrace forgiveness as a means to cultivate deeper and more enduring love. In this workshop participants will: Gain a whole new idea about what forgiveness is and what it isn't. Discover how unresolved, emotional baggage affects their connection. Receive tools and techniques for forgiveness, including emotional healing exercises, communication strategies, and self-reflection practices. Couples will work together on exercises and activities designed to strengthen their connection, build empathy, and reinforce the importance of forgiveness in their relationship. They will also have the opportunity to set personal and relationship goals for integrating forgiveness into their daily lives

    • Or  - Couples Appreciation Exercises with Rod Love (Temple)

      A guided exercise where partners express things they appreciate about each other. Tap into and cultivate your appreciation for each other and learn how to intentionally bring more joy into each others lives while deepening your love and connection.

  • 1:00 pm Lunch

  • 2:15-3:30 pm - Kink and BDSM For Couples, Throuples, and More! with Anthony Dissen (Great Room)

    Kink and BDSM can be incredible opportunities to explore ourselves and our partners in new and exciting ways! While often people think of kink and BDSM being synonymous with pain, they are so much more. This workshop will be an introduction to the world of kink: Different types of kink and BDSM will be discussed and explored with lots of opportunity to try them out! Topics such as scene construction, consent, discovering your likes and dislikes, and most importantly, how to communicate your needs and curiosities will be explored. Additional focus will be placed on how to use kink and BDSM as ways to deepen your relationship with your partner or partners, improve communication, and keep your sexuality alive and passionate!

    •  Or - Crystal Bowl Concert/Sound Bath with Rod Love - (Temple)

      Experience the powerful vibrations of a "sound bath" as Rod Love plays a set of 7 chakra-tuned quartz crystal singing bowls. As the ethereal tones reverberate through the air, they envelop you, creating a harmonious resonance that resonates deep within your being. These bowls are crafted from quartz crystal, and tuned to resonate with the chakras, aligning and balancing the energy centers within your body. The crystalline vibrations wash over you, clearing energetic blockages, releasing tension, and restoring a sense of harmony and well-being. Allow yourself to be cradled by the embrace of these sacred sounds, as they guide you towards a state of deep serenity and inner bliss.

  • 4:00-5:30 pm - Expressive Love with Douglas Kay (Great Room)

    In this workshop you and your partner will explore creativity, self-expression, and connection through the various artistic mediums of Life Drawing, Drag, and Photography. Begin your journey with a life drawing session, where you’ll take turns capturing each other’s beauty and essence on paper, celebrating form and spirit in a supportive and affirming environment (no drawing skill is required). Feel free to bring your own sketchbook and preferred drawing supplies, otherwise paper, pencils and easels will be provided. Next, we will take advantage of Easton Mountain's extensive drag closet to transform each other into fabulous personas. Assist each other in experimenting with makeup, costumes, and accessories to embody your inner divas, expressing yourselves authentically and fearlessly. Finally, embark on a photography adventure using the camera on your smartphone, or bring along your personal camera to capture stunning images of each other in or out of your drag. Explore different poses, settings, and angles to create captivating portraits that reflect the love, beauty, and creativity of your relationship. Throughout the workshop, enjoy bonding moments with your partner and fellow participants, fostering a sense of community and support. Leave with newfound skills, awareness, and a collection of artwork and photographs that celebrate your love and individuality.

  • 5:00-5:45pm - 12 Step Meeting (Temple)

  • 6:20 pm Dinner Circle (Great Room)

  • 6:30 Dinner 

  • 7:45 pm - Piano Bar Happy Hour with David Jarvis (Great Room)

    The piano bar has long been an institution of gay culture and we are pleased to bring it to Couples Weekend!. Wine, snacks, and non alcoholic beverages will be served. Come and celebrate with your loved one and your community by singing together! You can also sign up to do a solo number or duet ahead of time! Performing at the piano is Jarv formerly from The Front Porch in Ogunquit. Don’t Tell Mama in NYC, and Martuni’s in San Francisco. - (Wine and soft drinks served)

    • followed by Underwear Dance Party! (Great Room)

  • 10:00 pm - Sauna, Hot Tub, Play Space 

Sunday, March 10th

  • 8:00-9:00 am Yoga with Tim Cooley (Great Room)

    • Or - Erotic Flow with Edward Barron (Temple)

      Erotic Flow' is about consciously generating and experiencing the flow of erotic energy within us. We all were created out of erotic energy. It is the energy of creation. When you were conceived, the driving force behind the passion was erotic energy. The pleasure that drives this passion is our birthright.  Using the tools of Mindfulness and Meditation we will awaken and explore our erotic energy as it builds and flows through our bodies. By focusing sensations, you can enter the flow and ride the waves of erotic energy.

  • 9:00 am - Continental Breakfast 

  • 10:00-11:15 am - Jewelry Making (Chakra Bracelets) with Rod Love (Great Room)

    In this fun workshop, each participant makes a rainbow chakra bracelet. We will be using gemstone beads in the 7 colors of the spectrum and learning about the properties of the stones. We will also review the 7 chakras (energy centers of the body) and learn some affirmations that pair with each center. The bracelets will be strung on clear elastic jewelry cord. Everyone leaves the workshop with a new bracelet!

  • 11:30 am Closing Circle (Great Room)

  • 12:30 Brunch

Community Share Topics

FRIDAY TOPIC (written by ANTHONY DISSEN)

Communication 101: How To Communicate Changing Sexual Needs Over Time - In relationships, we change, our partner(s) change, and that can sometimes be hard to describe and communicate with one another. How do we communicate how our needs for sexuality, intimacy, kink, and self expression can change over time with those we love without it feeling like we are moving away? This conversation will talk about some best ways in which to communicate openly, honestly, and intimately with our partner or partners as we change, they change, and we all change together. 

SATURDAY TOPIC (written by JOHN OLLOM)

How to Express Vulnerability

How do we express emotional vulnerability to our man?  Do we feel that we are in a safe space to express our deepest joys and wounds with him?

Other Notes:

  • Our massage therapist Tim Cooley is available for massage for $100 for 75 minutes. There will be a sign up sheet in the main lobby.

  • There will be a late night open erotic space available in the loft of the temple starting at 10 pm.

    • Practice mutual respect and kindness toward yourself and others. Set your boundaries and practice consent and negotiation with each other. Give a “No” with kindness and receive them with grace and respect. Please make sure you are invited before joining a scene in progress. You may encounter hosts, volunteers, presenters and facilitators in the space. Each person will be responsible for setting boundaries, negotiating and communicating with anyone they encounter in the space.

  • The sauna will be available each night at 10 pm and the hot tub is always available for your use.